- US Edition
Khalil and Mr Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures
A sweet friendship spanning age and culture blooms in a shared backyard. Illustrated by Elaheh Taherian.
Khalil lives in the upstairs apartment with his family, which is big and busy and noisy. Downstairs lives Mr. Hagerty, who is quiet. Khalil and Mr. Hagerty don’t appear to have a lot in common, but hot summer days have a way of bringing people together. As Khalil looks for buried treasure in the yard, Mr. Hagerty tends to his garden. Both help each other navigate language — whether it be learning new words or remembering those seemingly forgotten. Before long, an unlikely friendship is born, full of treasure, thoughtfulness, and chocolate cake. Through well-cultivated details and vibrant cut-paper collage, author Tricia Springstubb and illustrator Elaheh Taherian nurture a heart-tugging tribute to the love of good neighbors and to the strength of intergenerational and intercultural bonds.
Rights details
World rights: Candlewick (May 2020)
Audio rights: Vox Books
Good news
ALA Notables list 2021
Starred review from School Library Journal
‘Readers will pore over striking, detailed illustrations in a collage with oil and charcoal. Most pages contain one simple sentence except for a place in the book where wordless artwork is stretched across both pages. Children will be eager to see what happens next. VERDICT A perfect read-aloud book for storytime.’
The Author
Tricia Springstubb
Tricia’s (she/her) books have received numerous starred reviews, appeared on many best-of-the-year and state-book lists, and received recognition from the Junior Library Guild, the Parents Choice Awards, and the American Library Association Notable Books committee. She is a two-time recipient of an Ohio Arts Council Award for Individual Excellence.
Tricia, who has worked as both an educator and a public library children’s associate, loves visiting schools and libraries. She is a frequent speaker at conferences and leads writing workshops for children and adults.
Mother of three grown daughters and four perfect grandbabies, she lives, works, plays and gardens in Cleveland, Ohio.
Tricia is represented by Kristin Ostby.